Draco (military standard)
A Roman cavalry standard shaped like a serpent.
The draco was a military standard of the Roman cavalry, carried by a draconarius. It served as the standard of the cohort, analogous to the eagle (aquila) for the legion. The draco may have been introduced to the Roman army after the Dacian Wars by Dacian and Sarmatian units in the second century.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Military standard
- Carried by
- Draconarius
- Associated unit
- Cohort
- Possible origin
- Dacian and Sarmatian units after the Dacian Wars
- Century of possible introduction
- Second century
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The draco is depicted on the Ludovisi battle sarcophagus, above the horseman who is the central figure in the composition.
- It appears in several other reliefs, including the Arch of Galerius and the Arch of Constantine, both from the early fourth century.
- The only fully-preserved copper draco head has been found in Niederbieber.
Literary descriptions
The draco, a military standard, is described by the Greek writer Arrian as a "Scythian" banner used in cavalry drills. It consists of a pole topped with a cloth snake, stitched from colorful fabrics, with a head and a long tail. When the horse stands still, the banner hangs as a limp, multicolored streamer. During a charge, the wind fills the cloth, making it resemble a living serpent and producing a hissing sound as air passes through. Arrian notes that these vivid banners provide visual delight and wonder, but also serve a practical purpose: they help riders maintain correct positions during complex maneuvers. The Latin poet Sidonius Apollinaris later described the draco in a similarly ornate style.
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